When Mark, an American missionary, moved to the Middle East, he was determined to share the gospel. He had his theology sharp, his apologetics ready, and his Arabic phrases memorized. But no matter how hard he tried, conversations felt stiff. People were polite but distant.
Then one evening, as he sat drinking tea with some local men, he tried something new. Instead of diving into deep topics, he told a funny story about his first time eating mansaf (a traditional Jordanian dish). He described how he struggled to eat the rice and yogurt with his hands, how it slipped between his fingers, and how an old man next to him shook his head in disappointment.
The men erupted in laughter. From that moment on, something changed. The walls came down. Conversations flowed naturally. And slowly, trust formed.
Humor and storytelling aren’t just entertainment in the Middle East—they are powerful tools for breaking barriers and building relationships. If you want to connect deeply with people, especially in ministry, you need to master these two skills. Here’s how.
1. Humor Shows Humility (And That You’re Safe)
In the West, humor is often about wit and sarcasm. In the Middle East, humor is about connection. People love laughing together, and self-deprecating humor—where you laugh at yourself—is one of the best ways to show humility.
If you’re a foreigner, locals already assume you don’t understand everything. Instead of trying to act like you’ve got it all figured out, embrace the awkwardness. Laugh at your own cultural mistakes.
What You Should Do:
- Tell a funny story about a time you misunderstood something.
- Share how you struggled with the language or local customs.
- Let people see you as approachable, not as an outsider trying to “fix” them.
Example: “The first time I tried to greet an elderly man, I used the wrong Arabic word and accidentally told him, ‘You are a delicious watermelon.’ He just stared at me for a second, then burst out laughing. I knew we were going to be good friends!”
2. Stories Open Hearts (More Than Arguments Ever Will)
Middle Easterners don’t argue their way to truth—they story their way to it. In the West, people often want facts, logic, and bullet points. But here, people resonate with narratives.
Jesus Himself used parables to communicate truth. Why? Because stories bypass defenses. They invite people into a journey rather than pushing an idea onto them.
What You Should Do:
- Instead of debating theology, share a personal story of how Jesus changed your life.
- Instead of giving a lecture, tell a parable or a real-life testimony.
- Ask people about their stories—family history, life experiences, struggles.
Example: Instead of saying, “Jesus is the only way,” say, “Let me tell you a story about a man who was lost and searching for truth…”
3. Humor and Storytelling Disarm Tension
Spiritual conversations can be sensitive. People are proud of their faith, their culture, and their identity. If you push too hard, they shut down. But humor and storytelling can soften difficult conversations.
What You Should Do:
- If a conversation gets tense, use humor to diffuse it.
- If someone is defensive, share a lighthearted story instead of arguing.
- Let people see faith as inviting, not threatening.
Example: If someone says, “You Christians always want to change people,” instead of getting defensive, smile and say, “Trust me, my wife wants to change me too! But Jesus actually changed me for the better.”
4. Honor and Respect Through Stories
In the Middle East, honor is everything. Telling stories that highlight honorable figures (elders, fathers, wise teachers) can make your message more acceptable.
What You Should Do:
- Show respect for local culture through storytelling.
- Share stories of biblical figures who Middle Easterners already respect (Abraham, Moses, Jesus).
- Emphasize honor in following Christ, rather than just personal faith.
Example: “You know, when I first learned about Abraham’s faith, I realized something—his journey looked a lot like my own. Leaving behind what he knew, trusting God, and walking forward. That’s what I want to do too.”
5. Laughter Builds Bridges Faster Than Debate
I’ve sat in countless Middle Eastern homes where difficult topics—faith, politics, identity—could have easily created tension. But a well-placed joke, a funny story, or a lighthearted moment changed everything.
People don’t remember arguments. They remember how you made them feel. If they associate you with laughter, warmth, and good storytelling, they will want to keep talking to you. And over time, those conversations will lead to the gospel.
What You Should Do:
- Learn to laugh with people, not at them.
- Be the kind of person people enjoy having around.
- Use humor and storytelling as a bridge to deeper conversations.
Final Thought: The Gospel is the Greatest Story of All
Jesus didn’t come to give people a bullet-point theology lesson. He came to tell the greatest story ever told—a story of love, sacrifice, and redemption. If you want to reach people in the Middle East, stop relying on arguments alone. Learn to laugh with people. Learn to tell good stories. And most of all, learn to let your life be the story that draws people to Jesus.
The Basin and Towel 